Well-functioning gutters preserve your home’s structural integrity and are a vital ingredient in protecting your property from moisture damage. When it’s time to have new gutters installed, there is a systematic process that reliable professionals use to ensure you will get the high performance you deserve from your new gutters for their lifespan. Installation professionals know the perils of a subpar gutter installation. That’s why they take time to ensure any issues found (when your current gutters are removed) are addressed before new gutters are installed.
Read on to learn about the process of gutter installation.
The Gutter Installation Process
Once you have chosen your new gutters’ size, material (aluminum, steel, copper), and style (K-style, half round), your gutter installation will be scheduled. The installation process includes a series of steps:
1. A Detailed Assessment of Damage
An overall assessment of problems will be performed on or around your home’s foundation, and the areas around your gutters. If signs of moisture intrusion like rot, mold or mildew pop up around your current gutters, it indicates there may also be hidden problems beneath the surface that need to be dealt with before new gutters are installed.
2. Your Gutters Will be Removed
Gutter removal is done with care to ensure your soffits and eaves are not harmed in the process. Downspouts and supporting features are also removed around your eaves and fascia around the entire perimeter of your home. The area beneath the gutters becomes visible as gutters are removed, and it is even more evident if repairs are needed. Addressing the root problem is vital to bypassing water penetration and costly repairs in the future.
3. Hidden Damage Will be Repaired
Rotted soffit and fascia endanger the ceiling structure and overall structural integrity of your home. If they are compromised due to moisture intrusion, they will be repaired or replaced before new gutters are installed.
4. Measurements Are Taken
Without the right measurements, your new drainage system won’t work properly. It’s vital that your contractor measure meticulously to ensure accurate plans are made for your downspouts, securing gutters, and how your roof’s angle will help increase the effectiveness of your new gutter system. The more precise the measurements, the better your gutter installation will go and the better it will perform over its lifetime.
5. Gutter Installation Begins
Gutter corners are assembled ahead of time, and everything is prepared before carefully placing the new drainage system on your home. Once preparations are complete, gutters are installed to perfection. Care is taken to ensure your home is not damaged in the process of installing your new drainage system. From your landscaping to your fascia, at LeafCo Gutters, our team treats your home as if it were our own, safeguarding it from damage. Our installers have (on average) over 10 years of experience. We pay attention to the details and prioritize quality control.
6. Downspouts Are Installed
Your downspouts are the part of your gutter system that ushers the water away from your home and safeguards your foundation from damage. They keep your basement from flooding and prevent water from pooling around the perimeter of your home.
The installation of downspouts is pretty meticulous when you include the preparation for it. Holes are cut in the correct locations for them so water flows most efficiently down and away from your home. Downspouts are then installed to ensure the lasting success of your gutter system.
7. Thorough Cleanup
The last step in gutter installation is to clean up. Gutter installation can be pretty messy including the removal of your old gutters and any repair work needed before your new ones are installed. All debris and old gutter parts will be removed and taken to the dump. A large magnet is used to catch any screws that may have been left in your yard during your installation. At LeafCo Gutters, our installers are extremely respectful of your home. We leave it squeaky clean and are extra careful, particularly if you have small children or pets.
8. Quality Assurance Checklist
Once your gutters are installed, our LeafCo Gutter installation specialists go through a completion checklist to ensure your installation was done to perfection and that it will deliver the results you deserve.
For The Best Long-Term Results—Have Gutters Installed Professionally
Even if you are a DIY enthusiast with the ambition to install your own gutters, it’s best to leave this exterior upgrade to the professionals. Depending on the type of gutters you decide on, different equipment and supplies are required to do the job right the first time. When gutter systems are installed properly and maintained well, they can last decades, so it’s worth the initial investment to have them installed right. Additionally, you’ll bypass the dangers of climbing a ladder (which sends over 160,000 people to the emergency room each year, and most falls are from 10 feet or less) by leaving gutter installation to the pros.
DIY gutter installation usually means vital steps will be missed and your drainage system won’t function as it should during its lifetime. Improper measurements, not using the right hangers or spikes, not using a level to ensure they will drain water at the proper angle, and not using the proper sealant at seams and joints are just some of the common errors that occur when homeowners try to install gutters themselves. Avoid the hassles of improper installation by hiring a reputable team of gutter pros.
Gutter Installation You Can Trust in the Chicago Area
When you need new gutters, it’s vital to find a contractor you can trust to do the job right the first time. At LeafCo Gutters, we install the top brand of aluminum gutters—Mastic Gutters; the top brand of steel—Nordic Steel Gutters; and specialty gutters. We offer convenient financing options so you can address your gutter issues promptly. Learn more about how our gutter services can enhance your home’s value while safeguarding it from the elements.
